Overtime is common in almost all industries. However, the extra work is not always due to the fact that the daily tasks simply cannot be completed in eight hours. Here are 6 tips for good time management.
1. Get Up Early
The unpleasant tip first: Many people who successfully manage their time get up very early. This doesn’t necessarily have to be at five in the morning, but early enough to avoid a hectic start to the day. If you sit at the coffee table at least half an hour earlier than necessary, you have time to think through the upcoming workday in peace and quiet and, for example, to set priorities. And if you arrive at the office well-structured, you’ll work more efficiently and productively.
2. Bundle Tasks
Some tasks can be summarized well and done more quickly in a package. Put together overviews of such tasks – for example, making phone calls, answering mails, do the filing. More time-consuming research could also be a separate block.
3. Know And Use The Performance Curve
Some people are at the peak of their productivity in the morning, others don’t hit their stride until late afternoon. Adjust your time management to individual characteristics. Less important emails, for example, can be answered even when your performance is low.
4. Block Out Time Slots
Sometimes you have to concentrate on important tasks for one or more hours without distractions. Not only block out appropriate time slots in your personal calendar, but also clearly communicate to the team that you are now out for a certain period of time. The latter is especially important in an open-plan office – where it is admittedly not easy to withdraw, but not impossible either. Perhaps the supervisor can be convinced to purchase one or more headsets with active noise cancellation that can be used by employees in turn. Or you can agree with the boss on regular home office days even after the end of the Corona measures.
5. Hand Off And Delegate
When it comes to prioritizing tasks, there is one rule: You don’t have to do everything yourself. First, don’t just determine what is so important that it must be done first and by you. In second place come tasks that are not so urgent, but also need to be done by yourself. Priority three is given to activities that can also be done by others and that you delegate to employees. Fourth place is also crucial: far too often we invest time in things that don’t really have to be done. Having the courage to take a break and sometimes not to do tasks at all can have an enormous impact on the time available.
6. Organize Non-Working Time
Good time management also includes dealing with free time. Only if you take a break and switch off from time to time can call up their full potential. This means that unless you are the CEO of a Dax company or in a similar position, and there is a critical situation at work, you should keep your cell phone out of your pocket in the evenings and on weekends. By the way, don’t give in to the urge to sort through the e-mails that still need to be answered on Monday. It can also make sense to switch off your mailbox.
